Boycott mars EC talks with parties

More than a third registered political parties, including opposition BNP, boycotted the Election Commission's talks yesterday. And some of those who joined the dialogue observed that the current situation is not conducive to holding a free and fair election.

Political analysts termed the talks "meaningless," as it shows that some major opposition political parties have little confidence in the Election Commission.

"I feel the Election Commission had to hold the talks under certain compulsions. Just to show that they have called everybody once again and that they did not get support [from all political parties]," former election commissioner Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain told The Daily Star.

"I don't find any meaning of this dialogue. As far as I know, no Election Commission has ever arranged talks to share the election preparations with political parties. They [EC] knew that major political parties would not join the dialogue. How will they come amid such a political situation?" he said.

The talks were held amid a deepening a political crisis, as BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami enforce another bout of nationwide blockade from today, demanding resignation of the government and elections under a nonparty administration.

Twenty-seven of the 44 registered political parties took part in the dialogue yesterday. Most of them are either ruling Awami League allies or like-minded parties. Some of them told the EC that the election should be participatory.

However, a number of small pro-government political parties said a potential boycott by BNP will not raise any question about the legitimacy of the election. They also demanded installations of CCTV cameras at polling centers during the polls, deployment of army and appointment of EC's own officials as retuning officers.

Most political parties sent their representatives, instead of their top leaders.

The EC invited 43 of the 44 registered political parties to the talks to share its election preparedness, as well as to listen to the recommendations of the parties.

Ganotantry Party was not invited, although one of its representatives turned up anyway and was allowed to join the dialogue.

Seventeen political parties, including BNP, boycotted the talks, held in two phases from around 10:45am to 1:30pm and, after a lunch break, from 3:00pm to 5:30pm.

The other parties are Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), Socialist Party of Bangladesh, Revolutionary Workers Party, Islami Andolon Bangladesh, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, Krishak Sramik Janata League, Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP), Liberal Democratic Party, Bangladesh Kalyan Party, Communist Party of Bangladesh, Muslim League-(BML), Bangladesh Muslim League, Jomiyote Ulamaye Islam Bangladesh, Khelafat Majlish and Bangladesh Jasod, EC sources said.

Of them, Krishak Sramik Janata League and Bangladesh Jasod are considered pro-government parties.

Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal defended the EC's move to hold the talks, which was also joined by all four Election Commissioners and top EC officials. 

"If some political parties failed to join the talks because of the short notice, we will try to listen to them in line with the Commission's decision, if they want. It is because we want to interact with everyone," he told the political parties during the dialogue.

During the talks, at least five political parties said the current political situation is unfavourable for holding the parliamentary polls, slated for January.

They said the polls schedule should be announced only after such an environment has been created, multiple meeting sources said.

"The country does not have a conducive environment to holding a free and fair election," Gono Forum General Secretary Mizanur Rahman said.

Mominul Alam, acting secretary general of the Nationalist Democratic Movement, said the CEC wants the political parties to shoulder responsibility for fair elections.

"But no one other than angels will be able to do that facing Awami League goons," he said.

He also requested the EC not to announce the polls schedule unless there is a political consensus and an environment conducive to free and fair polls.

Samyabadi Dal General Secretary Dilip Barua said fears prevail among the public due to the political unrest.

"We should try to dispel that fear first," he said.

However, Awami League Presidium Member Faruk Khan said the current state of affairs was favourable for the election.

"The constitution does not say that national election should be held ensuring BNP's participation," he said.

Talking to the reporters after the dialogue, the CEC urged all political parties, including BNP, to join the election.

"But the Commission has nothing to do if BNP and some like-minded parties do not participate in the polls," he said.

He also said while some people think the EC alone can conduct a free and fair election, in truth the Commission's ability is very limited in this regard.

The CEC reiterated that the EC does not have the ability nor the mandate to solve political crises.

Contacted, Prof Al Masud Hasanuzzaman said BNP and other like-minded parties did not join the talks as they have nothing to gain from it.

"There are no compromises between the two major parties on how the election will happen. And there are no signs that it will happen after the talks," said Prof Masud, who teaches governance and politics at Jahangirnagar University.